The Labasa side put up a gallant performance against Hekari United but fell short in the end during the semi-final of the OFC Women’s Champions League in the Solomon Islands yesterday.
Tied nil-all after full time, Labasa conceded twice in extra time to lose 2-nil.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock in regular time and inevitably extra-time loomed large.
Despite being the group stage’s highest goal scorers, Hekari United created fewer clear-cut chances than Labasa.
The Papua New Guinea side were the dominant force for much of the additional 30 minutes and eventually found the crucial breakthrough in the 100th minute mark.
A loose ball bouncing in the Labasa area wasn’t sufficiently cleared and Nenny Elipas took advantage of the Fijian side’s inability to deal with the danger, lashing the ball home to give Hekari a vital lead.
It felt a second Hekari goal was always likely and it duly came with a little over five minutes remaining.
The influential Marie Kaipu drove into the Labasa area and, having drawn in the defender, squared for unmarked Christie Maneu to lash in from a few yards out — confirming the result and her side’s place in the final.
